Book Date Night 2020

Goethe-Institut Ghana and Readers Truss on Friday 23rd October, 2020 organized the second edition of Book Date Night from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Goethe-Institut premises in Accra next to NAFTI.

By Kwabena Eddie Mankata

 
The Book Date Night is an event for avid, average and even first time readers to hang out in a fun and romantic setting with their dates. The purpose is to give out books freely to continually ignite and inspire passion for reading.
 
Unlike the first edition, this one was not opened to all owing to the covid-19 global pandemic. Participants had to register online by filling out a questionnaire. The selected ones got to attend with their dates. In all there were about eighty people present with the covid-10 protocols strictly adhered to in seating and wearing of face mask.
 
The event started with Nene Narh; a talented guitarist with soothing voice treating the audience to great tunes and he was joined by the indefatigable MC; Amishaddai who as a poet spiced the program with some pieces alongside the song.
 

Dorcas Fafali Tsey; Executive Director of Readers Truss shared briefly the vision of her organization in promoting a reading culture across Ghana and Meli Mansu; Head of Information and Library at Goethe-Institut centered on the essence of reading and the accessibility of the library at the institut to everyone.
 
Introductions of participants was next but with a twist. You had to prefix your first name with an adjective that begins with the first letter of your name.  For example, there was Generous Goddy, Sexy Shakiru, Beautiful Bea, Outstanding Omoze and it continued. Never a dull moment when book lovers gather.By attending the event, each participant was entitled to a book.

Clues were attached to all the giveaway books. Supposed you picked a book covered with a brown paper with an inscription, “school of horror” what title do you get? The Institute by Stephen King.  “Kill Them All” gives you Stay with me by Ayobami Adebayor. I will leave you to guess the book title with inscription, “Bush Meat.”  
The evening got more fascinating when Romantic Author, Empi Baryeh arrived to share her writing journey experience and also give away some of her books. She captivated and grabbed attention reading portions from her book.
 
In all, eighty books of all genres were given out for free. Heikel Friesel the Director of the institute graced the occasion and partook of the activities.
 
A photo booth was set up in the library where couples took turns taking pictures with their books. It was in all a great evening well spent with book lovers and readers.
 
Thanks to Goethe-Institut Gh and Reader Truss for the book date night.  Finally, book lovers have a night to hang; a romantic one. The book date night most definitely earns a page in the memoire of literary events in the Ghana.